(505f) Electrodeposition of Aluminum in Ionic Liquid Under High Gravity Field

Aluminum was electrochemically deposited on the stainless steel electrode in AlCl₃-BMIC ionic liquid under high gravity field at 80℃. The effects of high gravity field on the aluminum deposition rate and current efficiency were studied, and the aluminum deposition layers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results revealed that the current efficiency ranged from 70-90% when the electrodeposition current density was in the range of 15-30 mA/cm². The deposition rate of aluminum increased with the enhancement of high gravity coefficient, G, and when G = 162, the deposition rate was 1.5-2.5 times of that of normal gravity. Under G values of 80 and 104, with a current density of 18 mA/cm², the current efficiency for aluminum deposition was 83.2% and 84.5% respectively. The SEM micrographs of aluminum coatings obtained in constant current experiments showed that the dendrite aluminum was avoided for electrodeposition under high gravity field. Homogeneous, uniform, dense, shining and tightly adherent aluminum coatings were obtained under G = 104.